New Spring: The Wheel of Time Prequel

For three days battle has raged in the snow around the great city of Tar Valon. In the city, a foretelling of the future is uttered. On the slopes of Dragonmount, the immense mountain that looms over the city, a child is born, an infant prophesied to change the world. That child must be found before he can be killed by the forces of the Shadow.

Arcanum Unbounded: The Cosmere Collection

An all-new Stormlight Archive novella is the crown jewel of Arcanum Unbounded: The Cosmere Collection, the first audiobook of short fiction by New York Times best-selling author Brandon Sanderson. The collection includes eight works in all. Originally published on Tor.com and other websites, or published by the author, these wonderful tales convey the expanse of the Shardworlds and tell exciting tales of adventure Sanderson fans have come to expect.

Elantris

Once the godlike rulers of the capital of Arelon, the inhabitans of Elantris have been imprisoned within themselves, unable to die after the city's magic failed years ago. But when a new prince falls victim to the curse, he refuses to accept his fate.

Warbreaker

Warbreaker is the story of two sisters who happen to be princesses, the God King one of them has to marry, the lesser god who doesn't like his job, and the immortal who's still trying to undo the mistakes he made hundreds of years ago. Their world is one in which those who die in glory return as gods to live confined to a pantheon in Hallandren's capital city and where a power known as BioChromatic magic is based on an essence known as breath that can be collected only one unit at a time.

The Blood Mirror

When does an empire fall? The Seven Satrapies have collapsed into four - and those are falling before the White King's armies. Gavin Guile, ex-emperor, ex-Prism, ex-galley slave, formerly the one man who might have averted war, is now lost, broken, and trapped in a prison crafted by his own hands to hold a great magical genius. But Gavin has no magic at all. Worse, in this prison Gavin may not be alone.

Gardens of the Moon: The Malazan Book of the Fallen, Book 1

The Malazan Empire simmers with discontent, bled dry by interminable warfare, bitter infighting, and bloody confrontations with ancient and implacable sorcerers. Even the imperial legions, long inured to the bloodshed, yearn for some respite. Yet Empress Laseen’s rule remains absolute, enforced by her dreaded Claw assassins. For Sergeant Whiskeyjack and his squad of Bridgeburners, and for Tattersail, their lone surviving mage, the aftermath of the siege of Pale should have been a time to mourn the many dead. But Darujhistan, last of the Free Cities, yet holds out.

Steelheart: The Reckoners, Book 1

Ten years ago, Calamity came. It was a burst in the sky that gave ordinary men and women extraordinary powers. The awed public started calling them Epics. But Epics are no friend of man. With incredible gifts came the desire to rule. And to rule man you must crush his wills. Nobody fights the Epics...nobody but the Reckoners. A shadowy group of ordinary humans, they spend their lives studying Epics, finding their weaknesses, and then assassinating them. And David wants in. He wants Steelheart - the Epic who is said to be invincible. The Epic who killed David's father.

Pawn of Prophecy: The Belgariad, Book 1

Long ago, so the Storyteller claimed, the evil god Torak sought dominion and drove men and Gods to war. But Belgrath the Sorcerer led men to reclaim the Orb that protected the West. So long as it lay at Riva, the prophecy went, men would be safe. That was only a story, and Garion did not believe in magic dooms, even though the man without a shadow had haunted him for years.

Hero: Legend of Drizzt: Homecoming, Book III

Something akin to peace has come to the Underdark. The demon hordes have receded, and now the matron mothers argue over the fate of Drizzt Do'Urden. Even so, it becomes clear to one matriarch after another that while the renegade drow may come and go, Menzoberranzan, the City of Spiders, will crawl forever on. And so Drizzt is free to return to his home on the surface once again. Scores are settled as lives are cut short, yet other lives move on. For the lone drow, there is only a single final quest: a search for peace, for family, for home.

A Crucible of Souls: The Sorcery Ascendant Sequence, Book 1

When Caldan’s parents are brutally slain, he is raised by monks and taught the arcane mysteries of sorcery. Vowing to discover for himself who his parents really were, and what led to their violent end, he is thrust into the unfamiliar chaos of city life. With nothing to his name but a pair of mysterious heirlooms and a handful of coins, he must prove his talent to earn an apprenticeship with a guild of sorcerers. But he soon learns the world outside the monastery is a darker place than he ever imagined, and his treasured sorcery has disturbing depths. As a shadowed evil manipulates the unwary and forbidden powers are unleashed, Caldan is plunged into an age-old conflict that brings the world to the edge of destruction.

The Hobbit

Like every other hobbit, Bilbo Baggins likes nothing better than a quiet evening in his snug hole in the ground, dining on a sumptuous dinner in front of a fire. But when a wandering wizard captivates him with tales of the unknown, Bilbo becomes restless. Soon he joins the wizard’s band of homeless dwarves in search of giant spiders, savage wolves, and other dangers. Bilbo quickly tires of the quest for adventure and longs for the security of his familiar home. But before he can return to his life of comfort, he must face the greatest threat of all.

The Shadow of What Was Lost: The Licanius Trilogy, Book 1

It has been 20 years since the end of the war. The dictatorial Augurs, once thought of almost as gods, were overthrown and wiped out during the conflict, their much-feared powers mysteriously failing them. Those who had ruled under them, men and women with a lesser ability known as the Gift, avoided the Augurs' fate only by submitting themselves to the rebellion's Four Tenets.

The Way of Kings: Book One of The Stormlight Archive

Roshar is a world of stone and storms. Uncanny tempests of incredible power sweep across the rocky terrain so frequently that they have shaped ecology and civilization alike. Animals hide in shells, trees pull in branches, and grass retracts into the soilless ground. Cities are built only where the topography offers shelter. It has been centuries since the fall of the ten consecrated orders known as the Knights Radiant, but their Shardblades and Shardplate remain: mystical swords and suits of armor.

Without Remorse

His work for the CIA is brilliant, cold-blooded, and efficient, but who is he? In a harrowing tour de force, phenomenally best-selling author Tom Clancy shows how an ordinary man named John Kelly crossed the lines of justice and morality to become the CIA legend known as Mr. Clark. It is an unforgettable journey into the heart of darkness, without mercy - without remorse.

Dawn of Wonder: The Wakening, Book 1

When a high-ranking officer gallops into the quiet Mistyvales, he brings a warning that shakes the countryfolk to their roots. But for Aedan, a scruffy young adventurer with veins full of fire and a head full of ideas, this officer is not what he seems. The events that follow propel Aedan on a journey that only the foolhardy or desperate would risk, leading him to the gates of the nation's royal academy - a whole world of secrets in itself. But this is only the beginning of his discoveries.

Reign of Madness: King's Dark Tidings, Book 2

Equipped with skills far beyond those of the outworlders, Rezkin has been suddenly thrust into a foreign world. The young warrior clings to his only known purpose as he continues his search for any information about his identity and the reason for his existence. While the hardened warrior scorns both dueling and tournaments, he believes some of the answers he seeks may be found at the King's Tournament, the greatest dueling championship in all of the kingdoms.

Free the Darkness: King's Dark Tidings, Book 1

Raised and trained in seclusion at a secret fortress on the edge of the northern wilds of the Kingdom of Ashai, a young warrior called Rezkin is unexpectedly thrust into the outworld when a terrible battle destroys all that he knows. With no understanding of his life’s purpose and armed with masterful weapons mysteriously bestowed upon him by a dead king, Rezkin must travel across Ashai to find the one man who may hold the clues to his very existence.

Six of Crows

Ketterdam: a bustling hub of international trade where anything can be had for the right price - and no one knows that better than criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker. Kaz is offered a chance at a deadly heist that could make him rich beyond his wildest dreams. But he can't pull it off alone.

What the Critics Say

"Jordan deftly weaves details from previous books into this narrative." (Publishers Weekly) "Fires of Heaven upholds the very high standards of this major fantasy epic, with battle scenes, comic interludes, and character development all reaching perhaps the highest point in a work that has lacked for none of these." (Booklist) "Jordan's epic saga of a world threatened by evil incarnate builds steadily as separate strands of a complex plot begin to come together. Fans of this richly detailed and vividly imagined series will not be disappointed." (Library Journal)

Possibly the best so far if your following the series. The "Great Hunt" a close second. No matter how they review you cannot pick up this book in the middle. If you've finished 1 thru 4 you should read "New Spring" before you do this one. Much insight and a real good story. In this one people are gone you would never have expected to be gone. Rand is slowly becoming someone you'd never recoginize from the first book. I just wish audible would not offer 9 out of 10 books in a series and leave out #5 for so long. The average member is not looking that far ahead when he/she starts out.
I've been waiting for this book a long time.

I've enjoyed listening to the series so far. Sometimes the names get confusing (like "domaunie" the land and the girl that can channel but is on a leash) but the readers are great. Yes readerS... 2 of them. A woman for the mostly women parts and a man for the mostly men parts of the book. Its quite cleaver and is very enjoyable after you get used to it.
Sometimes Robert gets a little repetitive with the whole "smoothing a skirt" or other traits of a character but then that?s his style.
The story line is great and somewhat original.
I'd recommend this book to those that like Fantasy Books.

Man...these books are great! Michael and Kate need to hurry up and read FASTER! :) I have to agree that the unabridged versions are SOOOOOOOOOOOO much better than the abridged versions...don't even waste your time with them.

I've really been enjoying this series, and was overjoyed to see that Audible got the unabridged version of the Fires of Heaven. I enjoyed this book immensely, and look forward to Audible getting the UNABRIDGED versions of the next 3 books (hint hint).

Lots of intrigue and character development (though I could have predicted what happened in the last hour with three of the characters). A few really great cliffhangers for the next book. I miss Perrin and Fayile from the last book - on to book 6 to see if they show up!

I have liked all of Jordan's book including this 5th book. The only complaint I have is constant reference that Men think Women are stupid and Women think Men are stupid. I think it is safe to say the there are times when we all share the this viewpoint but he uses it ALL the time in this 5th book. I also had some trouble following all the various path the many characters take. On the whole I have enjoyed Jordan's books and I will buy all the rest if they show up. It so involved a story you can't stop at Book 5. He makes the characters so real you can't help but want to know what happens.

To be honest this book was exhausting to indulge. The beginning was gradual in its development of characters and scenarios, which don't improve with some sustainable interest until about halfway through. Whit that said, I would still read this book since significant events transpire and at least one meaningful clue is given.

What made the experience of listening to The Fires of Heaven the most enjoyable?

The Narration is great on this book and I don't think the narrators could have done a better job. The characters and the plot great from beginning to end. If you like Fiction and Fantasy you will love it.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Fires of Heaven?

There were so many memorable moments I laughed at or worried about or just got totally involved in. But the strongest moment for the main character of the book "Rand" was to me the last chapter where he finally showed he was the Leader he was meant to be and able to make the tough decisions. I think he really became a man at that moment to me.

What does Kate Reading and Michael Kramer bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Oh, they bring so much enjoyment and character to the book. I get to the point I look for hearing their voice. I listened to a short book waiting for my credit to purchase the next book and listening to a completely different style of narrator made me really appreciate Kate & Michael much more. They are perfect with the narration as well as the voices they come up with for different characters.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

You bet! I did not but if I could have I would have!

Any additional comments?

I promised myself I would only listen to this series of books while I exercised and it was not long before I first caught myself working out more just to keep listening to the book, and then I finally threw that promise away because I enjoyed the book so much. I think you will see what I mean.

I'm actually a late bloomer when it comes to Robert Jordan's world. I didn't hear about this series until a few years ago when I picked up Eye of the World. From that moment on, no other book could compare to this series of books. If you're like me, then you don't need me to tell you how critical this book is to the series. Hell, any of the books are critical because they contain more of that sweet sweet nectar we call Robert Jordan's words (or if you are listening to the audiobook - and you should - the sweet sweet nectar of Kate Reading and Mike Kramer's voices!)

In all seriousness though, this is a great book. A lot of people complain that not a lot happens which is true, but not in the way many people think. People are traveling and the wheel is being turned and events are being set in motion that will be unraveled over the course of the next couple books.

If you are a fan, this is a must read, if you aren't and thought the previous book wasn't very good then this one won't do much to change your mind. As for myself, on to the next Wheel of Time novel!

...I already had it downloaded and the audio book loaded up on my device for a seamless jump from one to another!

I have read all the Wheel of Time novels before (more than once), but with the last book on its way, it was time to update myself on the story. This was made so much easier by plugging into audible. My family found it quite annoying as I spent so much time listening, but not to them.

I loved the double narration which divided the story into its male and female halves. And Robert Jordan's story, which I have been following since 1996, is an absolute winner. Love it!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

A. May

12/26/12

Overall

"Excellent, a compelling and addictive epic."

This is one of the best fantasy epics ever written, a series right up there with the work of J. R. R. Tolkien but be warned it is not one to be taken up lightly, this series is Huge!

The books have been kept together so one audio book will get you one book and many hours of happy listening.

Sadly Robert Jordan died in 2007 after publishing book 11, but with the help of Jordan’s wife/editor Harriet McDougal, Brandon Sanderson has taken up the torch, using Jordan’s plentiful notes he is finishing off the series brilliantly, with book 14 being the final volume.

The series is voiced by Michael Kramer and Kate Reading throughout and their performances are exemplary, their narration brings the world to life in a way that simply reading it never had for me, they bring a unique voice and feeling to each of the characters that brings them to life and firmly embeds them in your heart.

The only negative I have to put in is that the audiobooks chapter division bears no relation to where the chapters start and end in the books making the chapter search and snooze modes on the app all but useless.

All in all a five star read. An absolute must for any fantasy epic fan.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Frantisek

Wallingford, United Kingdom

3/1/13

Overall

"Average"

Done it! Listened while working through the whole 14 books. Not bad - not brilliant either. Too much describing of what are people wearing, limited dictionary of dialogues and male-female relationships/interactions painfully similar, predictable -boring (Mr Freud would find it certainly interesting though :)

Maybe because English isn't my first language, maybe I'm spoiled by other writers or maybe Robert Jordan just isn't my type of author but haven't I been working at the time of listening I would considered it time wasted.

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

IJC

2/20/16

Overall

Performance

Story

"Epic"

Seemingly slow start but then things started happening, fundamental things that I'd forgotten from my first read some 20 years ago now. Yet there is so much more to come. I can't wait to start book six. I tell you once you start reading the wheel of time, thing else matters!

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Katie Samuelson

Cambridge, UK

10/26/15

Overall

Performance

Story

"Great plot, poor characterisation"

Would you try another book written by Robert Jordan or narrated by Kate Reading and Michael Kramer ?

As for all the series, the underlying concept and development of the story remain strong. Unfortunately the characters remain week; they lack any real depth, are highly stereotypical, and their dialogue and 'thought dialogue' is wooden and seemingly of a level of a primary school child. Possibly worst of all is the incredibly stereotypical approach to the male and female roles: it is both shallow in its implementation and rammed down your throat all the time.

It's lucky the underlying story and the narration are so good as to make these annoying traits bearable, but t's also a shame as with better writing and character development these books could be epics rather than just good.

1 of 2 people found this review helpful

Lesley Baerts

7/7/14

Overall

Performance

Story

"Best book so far !"

What made the experience of listening to The Fires of Heaven the most enjoyable?

This book was nicely told by Kate (Reading) and Michael (Kramer). While the chapters with a male point of view was told by Michael, the female perspective was narrated by Kate. This is very enjoyable.

What other book might you compare The Fires of Heaven to, and why?

This book follows the narrative and style of the previous books in the wheel of time. If you like the previous books, you will love this one.

What does Kate Reading and Michael Kramer bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

They tend to give the characters a unique "twist". By giving them accents or "real" reactions to what is happening in the book.

Any additional comments?

The book ends with an interview with Robert Jordan (the author of the book). Unfortunaly, this is exactly the same interview as with the previous books. It would be nice if every book would be concluded with another interview or "extra".

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Tiffany

denbigh, United Kingdom

5/1/14

Overall

Performance

Story

"didnt grab me as i had hoped"

What would have made The Fires of Heaven better?

I had expected much more with all the rave reviews ,,,,but sadly I found the first five books totally uninspiring wish I had given up earlier but I had been hoping for an upturn .....loads of great reviews are not necessarily a guarantee ....this is not a bad review of the book as so many good reviews prove the book has appeal.... just not for me I am afraid ...

What will your next listen be?

93, victor hugo.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

narration was fine

What character would you cut from The Fires of Heaven?

all characterisation for me was fairly weak

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Miss

Bayford, United Kingdom

8/3/13

Overall

Performance

Story

"Finally finished!"

I am a big fan of Robert Jordan, and began reading this book A few years ago. After several attempts, I couldn't seem to finish so I turned to the audio format and I am glad I did.Robert Jordan's books are perfectly suited for audiobooks allowing you to indulge in his descriptive narrative, which can be a bit much to read. I was concerned that the narrators would grate on me, but was pleasantly surprised by the end to be enjoying their style. Although not the most action packed of the series, the drama occurs right at the end, but continues the fantastic character development.I would definitely recommend this book, especially if you enjoy listening while doing other things. It may be a bit much to only listen as is a fair length.

1 of 2 people found this review helpful

William Clements

Reading, UK

1/11/12

Overall

"Return to the Wetlands"

First of all I must ask forgiveness for my review of Book 6, which I wrote before writing this review. I stated therein that the battle at the end of Book 6 at Dumai's Wells was the first real battle since the taking of Tear at the end of Book 3. However, clearly this is not the case as in book 5 there is a major battle for Cairhien with the Shaido. Not to play this battle down, either as it is when Mat begins to command his own troops through loyalty and strategy gained through his forrays into the Aiel Waste in Book 4.
There are several key battles, however, through the book which just take your breath away, and the battle for Cairhien was not one of them, though it is well presented and exciting enough to move the story along. The battle at Dumai's Wells was the next key battle in my opinion.
However, the rest of the book far exceeds expectations as characters really develop, Elaine and Nynaeve running from Tanchico, trying to find the rebel Aes Sedai, and avoid Elaidas attempts to capture them. Egwene, learning the crafts of the wise women Aiel and developing as a dream-walker. One wonders if maybe Egwene is Taveren as well as Mat, Perrin and Rand!
Rand finally finds a teacher of Saidin, though in the most unlikely of places, and he starts to really develop as Aes Sedai in his own right. And it is here that Lews Therrin starts to coalesce in Rand's mind.

2 of 4 people found this review helpful

Keith

2/21/15

Overall

Performance

Story

"Best narrators well done"

love the way the narrators encapture each personality, even without description you can imagine each character of the book. well read with an even flow - before you realise just how long youve actually been listening youre half way thru :)

0 of 1 people found this review helpful

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